[pct-l] Scout Merit Badge Hikes

[Hikrtoo at aol.com (Hikrtoo@aol.com)]

In my opinion for scouts earning any merit badge requireing physical 
endurance should earn the rank of 1st class scout. Then again in my opinion they 
should earn the first aid and swimming merit badges so "if" something goes wrong on 
an outing they have a little physical and mental maturity behind them.

Remember the "hiking merit badge" is hiking, not backpacking so the 
participents need only their essentials for the weather.

Some 12 and 13 year olds are up to making 20 miles while others including 16 
year olds are not.

Let the leader decide.

These are my observations while being a scout leader for 16 years.